Federal investigation leads to EL drug arrests
By MICHAEL D. McELWAIN (mmcelwain@reviewonline.com)Article Photos
EAST LIVERPOOL - Traffic was halted along state Route 7 Friday morning as federal and local law enforcement officers swooped in and arrested six people out of two different vehicles.
The action was part of a much larger, ongoing, operation led by the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) Youngstown Task Force, according to Robert Balzano, resident agent in charge.
"This has been ongoing for quite some time," Balzano said. "The investigation started in 2001."
No names were released, but Balzano said officers seized two kilograms - or 4.5 pounds - of cocaine in a powder form.
"The cocaine came from the West Coast, and when I say the West Coast, I mean, specifically, California," Balzano said.
Depending on the potency and how it's packaged, the street value of powder cocaine is approximately $100 per gram. Four kilograms would be worth $400,000.
Law enforcement officers were ready when the two vehicles travelling north on state Route 7 entered the East Liverpool city limits. As the SUV with temporary tags and the Chevy four-door with West Virginia registration neared the Dairy Queen, officers stopped traffic and descended down on the vehicles and occupants.
"Three of the people involved are local to the Columbiana County and Mahoning County area, and a few are from the West Coast," Balzano said. "They were headed north."
The narcotics were recently processed for street sale and "for distribution in northeast Ohio," Balzano added.
The six were arrested on federal charges of possession with intent to distribute multiple kilos of cocaine.
Officers from East Liverpool, St. Clair Township, Liverpool Township and Salem police departments were involved in the operation along with the DEA officials and members of the Mahoning Valley Task Force.
"It worked out very well," Balzano said about the operation that was executed at around 9 a.m. Friday following approximately four months of investigation and planning.
East Liverpool Police Chief Mike McVay said his department cooperated with federal authorities and offered assistance, but said since it was a federal case, he could not elaborate on specifics.
Balzano indicated more arrests may follow.
"This is one part of several of these types of arrests as we continue to get the dealers leading to getting the supplier," Balzano said. "And we're close to that stage."
